South Sudan NSS Detains Melut Teachers Over Salary Dispute

• Seven teachers were detained in Melut County, South Sudan, by the National Security Service after demanding unpaid salaries from the county commissioner.
• These teachers are among hundreds who have not received wages since 2024, with their salaries meant to be paid from the county's share of oil revenues.
• A civil society activist confirmed the arrest of four teachers and appealed to the NSS director general in Juba for their release, noting civil society representatives were denied access.
• The county education director acknowledged the widespread issue of unpaid teachers but stated the detained teachers should have informed authorities before protesting.
• Authorities have not provided a reason for the arrests or confirmed if any charges have been filed against the teachers.

Authorities have not yet offered any explanation for the arrests, nor have they confirmed whether the detained teachers have been formally charged with any offenses.

Seven educators in Melut County, located within South Sudan's Upper Nile State, were recently taken into custody by the National Security Service (NSS) following their attempt to demand overdue wages from the county commissioner's office. The arrests occurred on Tuesday afternoon, around 4 PM, and the teachers are currently being held by the NSS. The detained individuals have been identified as Ariath Ariath, Matiok Miakol, Albino, Paul James, Atem Mijok, Ajak Maluk, and Peter Aluong Deng.

This incident is part of a larger, ongoing Melut teachers detained salary dispute South Sudan, affecting hundreds of teachers who report not receiving their salaries since 2024. These educators were initially contracted by the county, with their wages intended to be paid from the county's 3% share of oil revenues. An unnamed teacher, speaking to Radio Tamazuj, indicated that the county commissioner had directly ordered the arrests after the teachers sought payment for arrears dating back to 2024, and expressed concern about potential further arrests.

The detention of these teachers underscores a persistent issue of Upper Nile State teacher salary arrears that has plagued the region for an extended period. Over the past two years, teachers have resorted to various forms of protest, including staging demonstrations and initiating school closures, in an effort to compel authorities to disburse their outstanding payments. These actions highlight the severe financial strain experienced by educators in the area.

In January, the teachers escalated their campaign by reportedly shutting down the county commissioner's office, signaling the depth of their frustration and the urgency of their demands. Despite these repeated efforts to draw attention to their plight and secure their rightful earnings, the issue of unpaid salaries has remained unresolved, ultimately leading to the recent detentions.

The county education director, Wai Akol, confirmed the arrests of teachers but refrained from providing specific details regarding the incident. Akol acknowledged that numerous teachers had gone unpaid for years, characterizing the situation as a widespread problem. However, he also stated that the teachers should have informed the authorities before proceeding to the commissioner's office, noting that they had not provided any prior notification. Akol further mentioned that he had learned about the events through hearsay, as his colleagues had not officially informed him.

Civil society activist Bol Deng Bol, who chairs the National Civil Society Coalition, has publicly called for the immediate release of the detained teachers. Bol reported that his colleagues on the ground confirmed the arrest of four teachers, a slight discrepancy from the initial report of seven. He also stated that civil society representatives have been denied access to the detainees, raising concerns about their welfare. Bol has appealed directly to the NSS director general in Juba to order their release, emphasizing the need to address the arbitrary detention South Sudan labor protest.

This incident raises significant concerns regarding South Sudan human rights violations and the potential for arbitrary detention by state security forces. Authorities have not yet offered any explanation for the arrests, nor have they confirmed whether the detained teachers have been formally charged with any offenses. This lack of transparency and due process is particularly troubling in the context of individuals asserting their fundamental labor rights.

The appeal by the unnamed teacher for intervention from the national government to secure both the teachers' release and the payment of their outstanding salaries highlights the perceived failure of local authorities to resolve the dispute through lawful means. The inability of civil society representatives to access the detainees further compounds worries about their legal standing and treatment while in custody of the South Sudan National Security Service arrests.

This incident highlights the significant risk of arbitrary detention and human rights violations by state security forces (NSS) in South Sudan, particularly in response to labor disputes over unpaid wages. Lawyers advising clients with operations or employees in South Sudan should be aware of this precedent, as it demonstrates a lack of due process and the potential for severe repercussions for individuals asserting their labor rights, posing a substantial compliance and human rights risk.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj